Vicharan Reports

1 May 2001 (V.S. 2057, Vaishakh Sud 8) Tuesday, Mumbai
During the evening assembly Swamishri said, "One may be intelligent and successfully perform worldly tasks but if one cannot realise the glory of God, inspire peace, and instead stokes conflict, then of what use is intelligence?
"God does not make anyone miserable. He descends to make everyone happy. He has shown the path to happiness but if one does not follow it then what can He do? If you do not walk on the highway, and instead walk through the bushes, stony and thorny grounds, then whose fault is it?..."
o A reporter from the daily, Times of India, posed a couple of questions to Swamishri:
Q: Under your leadership the Swaminarayan Sanstha has progressed tremendously. According to you which are your three principal achievements?
Swamishri: Akshardham, London Mandir and other small and large mandirs. From them everyone can attain the knowledge of God. It is also an achievement that the intelligentsia have come to understand (the glory of God). (Since the mandirs are an instrument for) The development of faith in God, that is also another achievement. (Through the mandirs) Many have become sadhus who spread dharma and inspire everyone on the path of righteousness.
All these achievements are due to the glory of Bhagwan Swaminarayan and the blessings of Shastriji Maharaj and Yogiji Maharaj.
Q2: What are your plans for the next ten years?
Swamishri: Our endeavors are towards awakening religious feelings in people, inspiring faith in God and promoting peace in society.

3 May 2001 (V.S. 2057, Vaishakh Sud 11) Thursday, Mumbai
In his evening blessings, Swamishri stressed upon the extent of endeavoring in one's occupation to satisfy one's physical needs.
"One should strive to earn money according to one's needs. One should not remain steeped in business or work for the entire twelve months. Foxes and wolves kill their prey even if they are not hungry, whereas the lion is an animal of integrity. It kills only when it is hungry. ...If you eat the required quantity of food then it will be easily digested. Similarly, one should earn according to one's daily, yearly or lifetime needs. After earning enough, one should then engage in doing bhajan. But like the fox and the wolf, to eat and drink, party and travel around all day is improper and wrong."

5 May 2001 (V.S. 2057, Vaishakh Sud 13) Saturday, Mumbai, Selvas
Swamishri arrived in Selvas and travelled to the nearby village of Athal at the site of the proposed `Swaminarayan Cultural Complex.' Swamishri performed the foundation-stone laying ceremony for the 'Pramukh Swami Institute of Information Technology' (PIIT). The 15-acre land will see the establishment of a modern educational complex, health-care and character-building centers for the benefit of tribal people. As part of the planned multiplex center, the foundation-stone laying ceremony for the PIIT was its first phase.

6 May 2001 (VS 2057 Vaishakh Sud 14) Sunday, Selvas, Nana Pondha, Selvas
Swamishri was welcomed by tribal devotees on arriving at the village of Nana Pondha, 30 kms from Selvas. Swamishri performed the murti-pratishtha of Akshar Purushottam Maharaj, Radha Krishna Dev, Guru parampara, Hanumanji and Ganapatiji and inaugurated the Swaminarayan Mandir.
During the pratishtha assembly Swamishri appreciated the efforts of the tribal devotees in constructing the mandir. He added, "...Through the spiritual association of sadhus you have realized the glory of satsang. Your life was such that no matter how much you may have endeavored you may not have been able to raise your level of life. But today you are free from addictions and vices, you have learnt to wear proper clothes, you have better houses to live in and good education. Because of satsang your life has become morally and socially fragrant."
This evening at 6.50 p.m., Swamishri celebrated Nrusinh Jayanti by performing arti and extolling the faith of Prahlad and the victory of good over evil.

7 May 2001 (VS 2057 Vaishakh Sud 15) Monday, Selvas, Karamkhal, Selvas, Udvada, Tithal
On arriving in Karamkhal, Swamishri was welcomed by the tribal youth devotees with a traditional dance. Swamishri responded to their rhythm and pulse of devotion by joining them in striking a brass dish with a stick. Swamishri's participation enthused the crowd further.
Swamishri then performed the murti-pratishtha of Akshar Purushottam Maharaj, Radha Krishna Dev and Guru parampara. It was the opening of the ninth Swaminarayan Mandir in the tribal area of Selvas.

11 May 2001 (VS 2057, Vaishakh Vad 4) Friday, Tithal
After his morning puja, Swamishri performed pujan of the murtis for the Swaminarayan Kutir Mandir in Kakadkuva village. Swamishri also performed Bhumi-pujan of the soil for the new mandirs in the villages of Nalimdhani, Kurgam, Baroliya and Balvada.